2 - Decide on a downpayment amount

The downpayment is the amount of the purchase price that you pay immediately, and must be at least 5% of the purchase price for the first $500,000 and 10% for the amount over $500,000. If your downpayment is less than 20%, your bank must take out mortgage loan insurance with Genworth or CMHC, and you’ll pay insurance premiums1 in addition to your mortgage payments.

Wondering where to get the money for your downpayment? Liquid assets, investments, gifts and inheritances are all acceptable downpayment sources, as well as RRSPs through the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)2.

Now in effect

3 - Budget for additional expenses

Buying a property comes with additional expenses you may not have thought of. Make sure you've set aside funds to pay for professional services, including property inspection and appraisal fees and fees charged by the legal professional.

You should also budget for insurance premiums (home insurance, mortgage loan insurance, etc.), property tax and any public utilities to be paid in advance, as well as federal and provincial tax on the sale price (for a new home), taxes on the mortgage loan insurance amount (if your downpayment is less than 20%), municipal and school taxes and welcome tax

5 - Get pre-approved

Show you’re a serious buyer: get pre-approved before you start looking for a property. There are many advantages: it takes just a few minutes to apply online, it establishes a price range of homes you can afford, it guarantees your interest rate for 90 days and an expert can help you finalize the process.

More on buying a home

Little details that matter

Legal Disclaimers

TM All-In-One is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.

1. Insurance premiums are added to the total amount of your mortgage. File examinations fees charged by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Genworth Financial Canada and taxes on premiums must be paid separately.

2. To be eligible for the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP), the property must be located in Canada, purchased or built before October 1 of the calendar year following the withdrawal from your RRSP, and intended as a primary dwelling, no later than one year after it is purchased or built. You and your spouse can each withdraw up to $35,000 from your RRSP. You'll have 15 years from the second calendar year following the withdrawal to repay the funds into your RRSP. Each year, you must repay 1/15th of the total amount withdrawn.

3. Subject to credit approval by National Bank of Canada. Certain conditions apply.

4. Certain conditions apply.

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